"Large Protests Oppose Bush, Policies Outside Event"

A camouflaged buffalo pedaling a quadricycle down the street is a good reason to call the police. The same rule might apply for a six-foot SpongeBob SquarePants or a walking tree who was upset about the war in Iraq and deforestation - but not yesterday.

These characters joined over 1,000 others Tuesday morning at Symphony Circle, where an eclectic but unified crowd protested President George W. Bush's appearance at Kleinhan's Music Hall.

The demonstration, organized by Western New York United Against Bush, marshaled a large cadre of anti-Bush activists from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. According to organizers, between 1,000 and 1,500 people attended the event.

"It's good to see different age groups and all types of people out here supporting the cause," said Joleen Snowdon, a Buffalo State student who attended the rally.

Justine Seligman, a sophomore fine arts major at UB, supported the rally and listened to the speakers with her friends.

"There's nice unity together among the people here," she said. "I've seen about 15 people from UB."

One of the more unique groups that protested at Symphony Circle was the Raging Grannies. As a national syndicate composed of older women who speak out on political issues, the Buffalo chapter performed jingles sung to the melodies of popular standards like "Home on the Range."

Jessica Carrancio, a sophomore math major and member of UB Students Against Sweatshops, rallied with a large banner, and commended the Grannies for their spirit and persistence.

"They're always at other rallies," she said. "They're just a bunch of grandmas from Western New York that make up songs."

But the Raging Grannies were not the only group admired for their spirit.

All four members of the Resistin' Radicatz, a band of self-described political cheerleaders, charged the crowd up with their unique brand of activism.

The Radicatz prepared bagels for the crowd topped with hummus and cream cheese before busting into fully choreographed dance routines and cheers. Sung to the tune of "Who Let the Dogs Out," they trumpeted the cry of "Who Let the Bombs Drop."

"We write all the cheers ourselves," said one of the Radicatz, a woman who called herself Catharsis. "We try to get away from the somber mood at rallies. It's to bring fun to activism."

Shortly after the Radicatz finished their routines, Santa Claus came to town.

A man dressed as good old St. Nick appeared with beer cans attached to his suit and supported the protestors as he sounded an air horn for peace.

Sabres Fans Against Bush, an athletic political group, were armed with five-gallon drums to beat on as well as hockey sticks and a goalie net to voice their opposition to the president. Clad in homemade red jerseys with Buffalo Sabres logos branded on the front, the group played hockey in the street while mocking Bush all the while.

"I caught Saddam," mocked a goalie decked out in a three-piece suit and Bush mask after he saved the puck.

While the majority of the activists protested, a small group of supporters arrived to cheer on their president for "four more years."

Nancy Kenzler, a mother from Cheektowaga who attended the rally to support Bush with her two younger daughters, was disappointed with the protestors' attitudes.

"We didn't come to be accosted," Kenzler, who was surrounded and hollered at by anti-Bush demonstrators. "What saddens me is that all of this is going to be on the news. It's going to represent Buffalo in a bad light. If a satellite (broadcast) of this was to go back to Iraq, that would pain me."

Justin Norton, a Buffalo resident and Bush supporter, argued with protestors and had strong views on the war.

"I'd say a large portion are on the hippie side today. We're outnumbered here but the majority of the Americans support the war," Norton said.

Alongside Norton was Sandy Achtyl, also a Bush supporter, who picketed a sign aimed at the protestors that read, "Go Hug a Tree."

"I think that it's ridiculous that people can't support our company," she said. "They can't support the people that are fighting for their freedom."

On the other side of the circle, there were some who came hoping only to snag a glimpse of Bush.

Rene Obe, a West Side resident who lives around the block from Symphony Circle, was unaware of any protest before she woke up this morning.

"I got up this morning and saw the president on the news and figured I'd come down and say hello. He did that fake-out move a few times," Obe said, referring to the white tent that hid who was getting in and out of the official vehicles when the motorcade stopped at Kleinhans.

Roger Cook, organizer of the WNY United Against Bush rally, said he represented frustrated labor unions in the Buffalo area, but had other reasons for being there.

"I see students here today because of their education. There are seniors here because they're worried about their medical care," Cook said. "I think what you see here is mainstream America."